STM BIO specializes in the production and marketing of organic products from the Roussillon area. The French company based in Perpignan has also suffered from the recent frost that hit France last week.
“We will have all the results in the coming days but what is certain is that there will be severe consequences. We have been affected in a significant way. The more time goes by, the more we become aware of the damage on the trees. If we had to give an estimate, it would be around 70% at the moment,” explains Michael Sanchez Escriva, in charge of commercial development at STM BIO.
Photos provided by STM BIO
Record temperatures
In Palau-del-Vidre (Pyrénées-Orientales), temperatures went down below -1.7°C, and closer to the Mediterranean, near Torreilles, temperatures even went down to -3°C. “This had not been seen in 30 years. With such temperatures, despite the installation of braziers filled with wood or the use of candles, we’ve already lost about 400 tons.”
Stone fruits severely affected
It is still too early to put an exact figure on the losses, but the damage on the apricots is very significant. As for the peaches and nectarines, we will have to wait to get a better idea. “This time of year, the pit of the fruit is normally white, but it is brown right now, which means that it is frozen. The fruit that are still on the trees will fall and we will know more after a while. We are currently receiving the files for agricultural disaster and the DDTM (Departmental Directorates of the Territories and Sea) is expected to come to assess the damage.”
“There won’t be much from the French production on the shelves this summer”
STM BIO, which develops ethical and sustainable partnerships with producers outside of France, will turn to Spain. “We are currently making plans with Spanish partners near Murcia, Almeria, Seville, Lleida and Valencia,” explains Michael. “Unfortunately, we are forced to turn to them earlier than expected. We usually do so later, after our season ends, but the consequences will be such that there won’t be much from the French production on the shelves this summer.”
For more information:
STM BIO
stmbioandco@gmail.com